From a virtual storage space to an intrinsic part of me, my blog has evolved in the few years of its existence. From a link where I stored short fiction stories to a place of documenting life’s experiences, piling my passion, honing my craft. From no category whatsoever to several, with the most recent one included at the start of 2017. From plain, unappealing white look and feel to striking, personalized purple theme. From idolorsdomain.wordpress.com to idolorsdomain.com. Over time, my blog has constantly morphed according to my whims and fresh ideas. No longer is it merely a web warehouse for fiction(as was the original plan for its creation) but also a vestibule of memories, a platform to share, engage and release.

Michael’s gaze narrowed slightly as he eyed the half-eaten pain au chocolat suspended mid air before it rested on the person holding it. ‘Aren’t you overdoing it?’ His husky tones inquired. ‘The croissants or the trumpeting?’ Across the small round table between them, big, brown eyes belonging to his long-time personal and professional friend, Anne, danced brightly as her cool tones wanted to know before popping what was left of the pastry in her mouth. ‘Both.’ He adjusted briefly in his chair, then reached for the tall glistening glass of colourless liquid in front of him. A smile chased across her thin line of lips. ‘Yet you take me out to lunch to indulge? ‘ He shrugged, saying nothing; raising the drink to his lips, he drained it. She leaned, slender arms on equally slender crossed legs. ‘Admit it, M. I’m good.’ He met her gaze. ‘That’s probably the 1,000,000th time I’ve heard that in the last 15 minutes. There’s no doubt about it, Anne, you are.’ ‘Ha!’ She clapped her hands, temporarily drawing the attention of other diners. ‘I’m awesome like that. I can’t help it. Mad skills that are in demand; one of the best at the service I provide and…’ ‘Give some credit to piggybacking on my company, will you?’ Michael cut in. He was teasing. ‘Piggybacking, you say, M?’ Her voice had a tinge of incredulity. ‘If I charged for every pro bono project I did from inception until two years ago, I’d be a billionaire.’ ‘You know I’m kidding. You are a treasured supplier to us. A huge part of the success we currently enjoy. I’ll never forget that. So by all means keep telling me how exceptional you are.’ Anne preened briefly under his praise. ‘Your trust in me was half the work done, M. I didn’t know the extent of my capabilities until your don’t-take-no-for -an-answer attitude bulldozed me into a corner. He smiled. Those were tough and stringent times, and she had come through time and again for his then small, struggling organization. The experience and its attendant constraints, tight schedules, bootstrapping”more

“If that’s your working theory, how come you found out Sam was cheating on you and you guys just broke up?” Ama shot back sharply, slanting her friend, Wunmi, a reproving look. Only she had said absolutely nothing two hours ago. Both girls had been together, discussing Ama’s recent relationship upheaval. “I don’t think you’re putting enough in it, Ama.” Wunmi’s voice sounded all – knowing, condescending even. “In a relationship, the girl gives 70% while the boy gives 30.” The other girl felt her anger rise through her chest, shimmering just below the surface of her cheeks. Wunmi didn’t know half of the issues she had with Omo, her boyfriend. How could she tell if she, Ama, wasn’t giving her all? And where on earth did she get that ridiculous percentile distribution from? A relationship was a 50 – 50 partnership; both parties worked equally hard together to make it flourish. But she had uttered nothing. Instead allowing her friend continue her crappy counsel.

I was going to open this speech with a dismal one – liner; so far this hasn’t been a particularly good year. But of what use would that be? Dwelling upon the seeming short fall of the first seven months instead of devising ways to make the most of the remaining five, while learning from past mistakes. There is still time enough to turn things around, to get things right. And I intend to do just that. It is not over until 12.01am on January 1, 2018; only then would I stop trying. On to the issue at hand. When 2017 rolled in, I had a single item on my list. To dance. In every aspect of my life. How have I fared? The moves on my blog were targeted at one post per week, four posts every month. Sometimes, I fell abysmally short of that goal; other times I exceeded it, and, in the course of the last seven months, I added two new categories – the month in review (highlights of each month) and G.L.i.B (Getting Lost in a Book). More rhythmic and vigorous were the heart-pounding , sweat-inducing steps involved in my workout routine I promised myself and body to actively engage in this year. Despite varied , annoying interruptions – colds, illnesses, body aches, travel, my own random laziness – this aspect stayed on course throughout the period under review. And I’ve only begun to see physical changes and feel emotional and psychological ones too. My body instinctively awakes before 5am everyday of the week in readiness to workout out. I aslo completed a 30-day drinking challenge of sticking to only water when parcbed or in need of hydration. This was to complement my fitness and weight loss journey while easing slowing into a more healthy diet. A repeat of this challenge is scheduled for next month. At this juncture, I’d like to add that this month marks exactly one year of my workout out routine – hip-hop and with Shaun T. I couldn’t have made a better decision about my body. 12 months of exercise”more

More paper. Hard copy – personal, professional, educational, etc material. Tangible, handwritten letters. Calligraphy! Not the cold content of email. Grueling, time – consuming, energy – draining research in actual libraries. Can’t just google it. More outdoor activities, social engagements and physical meetings. Real life meeting and making new friends, acquaintances, business contacts, etc. Ease and speed of communication? Forget it. Enter the time of waiting for weeks to a response to a letter, for a photo, for any sort of communication. Information overload won’t be a phrase anymore. Literal thumbs up for something liked instead of a figurative one. Time, energy and money will be consumed during actual shopping, banking, etc activities. No online ease from the comfort of the bedroom. Life without computers would be, as we know it, over and back to something akin to the Stone Age. photo credit: huffingtonpost.com, earlyyearsoutdooreducation.wordpress.com

All Didi wanted was some breakfast. Bread, mildly toasted and still soft. Covered with garlic dressing and diced boiled eggs. Divided up into quaint triangles. Eaten with chilled mango juice and some peace. Fat chance! Grr, her little son announces his arrival. Hi mum, his sister is a little more audible. Is that a sandwich? Just go and play, Didi groaned inwardly. Knowing her plans would come to naught with these two around. Let’s go, her son utters suddenly. Moving away and pulling his sister along. Now they’re at the door, opening it. Only when they disappear behind it, does she release a sigh. Peace, pure peace, descends. Quiet accompanies it too. Relishing the unexpected atmosphere, she raises her sandwich to her lips. Sips deeply from her glass. Takes a bite; treasures the moment; takes her time. Uninterrupted finally, her earlier plans began to take shape. Victory! Wary, though, that it could change in an instant. Xeroxing the moment of a few seconds ago. You never know with those young ‘uns. Zipping, zooming in and out at will.

When I began my master’s program, I was excited at the prospect. Half way through, I was cursing the fact that I walked into the uber stressful situation with my eyes open. The excitement was gone, firmly replaced by the reality of classes, lecturers, assignments, late nights, etc all combined with a full – time job and planning for my wedding. I couldn’t wait to complete the darn thing! Who would have thought, after that experience and a decade later, I wouldn’t be averse to going back to school for more studies?! While it’s still in the just-a-thought stage, it’s something worth considering deeply. What would I focus on if I go back for further studies? Interestingly I’ve dabbled in various subjects that I’d prefer not to venture into once more. There was the one year stint in music with hopes to become a maestro on the keyboard, and the very brief and exciting time in Francais classes. Three months learning Spanish was equally magnifico. But languages are a part of me, I never stop practicing. Fashion design featured many moons ago and how could I forget that period of drama classes and my dream to become a stage director? Writing , like languages, are part of my territory. For me, it’s a continuum. All of the above would be exempted from consideration on further learning. Instead, I’d delve into unchartered , unfamiliar waters. Subjects I do not exactly care for but could bring fresh perspectives to the work I currently engage in. I hardly hide my lack of interest in politics but would definitely give political science a thought. After all, we all find ourselves in situations where we have to be politically correct. It would also help in my understanding of the game and how I can put it to use in daily living. Life can be so political- in your neighbourhood, at the office, in church, social gatherings; a bit of political savvy could come in handy. Other subjects worth considering would be graphic design and cinematography. The former because of my beau’s passion and how he manipulates”more

My closest friend is, and has been for the last decade, my beau. The truth of this statement dawned on me immediately after I saw it written in black and white. Marry your friend, is the advice most people get. No one said anything about that friendship evolving into best friends. Is this in anyway related to our proximity to each other? Sharing the same physical space, air and being in each other’s faces every day, all day? I doubt it. It is likely there are couples out there in the same conditions without experiencing any camaraderie or closeness. Whoever said marry your friend was dead right, unlike the person who alluding sleeping soundly to a baby’s snooze time. Either s/he didn’t think it through or was the yet to have a baby to test the claim. My beau was not only my friend before we exchanged vows; he was also one of my best cheerleaders. My reality check. My constant push to become a better me in every aspect of life. My sounding board. My listening ear. My encyclopedia. The kind of friend I obviously required at the beginning of evolving roles in life – wife, mum. And the one I needed along the way as well. He rose to the occasion time and again. Admiringly. Undoubtedly, he’d win the award for my longest – running best friend, and it would be well – deserved.

Everything I love is killing me, sang Alan Jackson many years ago. This tune came to mind as I ticked off some of my food – related guilty pleasures – pancakes, croissants, red velvet cake, apple pie, alcohol- infused ice cream, Spanish flan – while contemplating today’s prompt. If a restaurant were to name something after me, what would it be? Most definitely one of my guilty pleasures, I think instantly. See why Alan Jackson’s song popped up? They are all desserts. Insanely sweet too. And while they may not be killing me, they are certainly not good for me when not indulged in moderation. A concept truly alien to me when any of them is staring me in the face – homemade or bought from the confectioner’s. For instance, I always purchase a box of croissants – plain, cholate, chees, almond, cinnamon, etc – when I want to eat some. One or three will never do. Imagine all that dough and sweetness. Pancakes, homemade and seasoned to my own slightly sugary perfection, appear as they do in internet images – a high stack of flat, fluffy goodness. Oh help! Between these two would the restaurant find a fitting namesake for me. And pancakes would win every time. But I never eat them unaccompanied. Diced pieces of fresh green apples are favoured favourites and bring texture to the meal. Or a beef, potatoes and veggie sauce to balance the sweetness of the pancakes with its savoury taste. The name of the dish? ipancakes. Short for idolor’s pancakes. Served with an option of diced fresh apples or a savoury beef sauce. Can I interest you in this special?